Two iconic rock legends + A few select cities = A must-see summer concert event dubbed The Sharp Dressed Simple Man Tour. Lynyrd Skynyrd, who is nearing the 50th anniversary of their first album, “Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd,” will be taking the stage with those bearded hotrod lovers, ZZ Top. Uncle Kracker will have the honor of opening for these magnificent maniacs.
Lynyrd Skynyrd helped spread the Southern rock genre with their wildly successful songs “Free Bird” and “Sweet Home Alabama,” both of which are hard not to sing along to no matter what you’re doing or where you are. Though they have seen their fair share of trauma and turmoil – specifically, that horrific day in October 1977 when their plane crashed and took the lives of Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines, and Cassie Gaines – Lynyrd Skynyrd knew their legacy would not end there. They rocked on, built the band back up, and have been extremely successful ever since. Unfortunately, earlier this year the last original band member, guitarist Gary Rossington, passed away. The band was in the middle of creating their 15th album.
Born out of Jacksonville, Florida, Lynyrd Skynyrd has seen lots of success and lots of members. But that is what happens when you’ve been around as long as they have. In 2006 they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and they are usually included on any “greatest artists of all time” type lists. In addition to their two mega hits, they are also known for “Simple Man,” “Gimmie Three Steps,” “That Smell,” and “What’s Your Name.”
Texas natives ZZ Top have also been around for over 50 years and became an international sensation when they changed up their image and switched to a more conventional rock sound with songs like “Eliminator” and “Afterburner.” Their trilogy of music videos from the “Eliminator” album – “Legs,” “Got Me Under Pressure,” “Gimmie All Your Lovin’” and “Sharp Dressed Man” – stormed MTV and made them household names.
Of course ZZ Top has other mega-hits their fans know and love, “La Grange,” “Tush,” their insane cover of “Viva Las Vegas,” “Brown Sugar,” and don’t forget “Tube Snake Boogie.”
The band knew how to play to the camera by bustin’ a move, spinning their white fur guitars, and sporting their dark sunglasses and long beards. Just like Lynyrd, ZZ Top has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and lands on “best of” lists.
I’m told during this tour, the rendition of “Free Bird” takes the concert to an entirely different level and is the piece de resistance of the night. No matter what language you speak, no matter what country you live in, and no matter what genre of music you listen to, you are bound to be familiar with the names Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZ Top. Don’t miss your chance to see both of these legendary bands in person, in one spectacular night. It is an experience you don’t want to miss. And after you’re done, you can answer me this, “Was I Right or Wrong.”
There are a few dates left, so check for your city. OC Music News plans to catch the show in Raleigh, NC and we will give you a full report!
For the left coast, you can catch ZZ Top at their Vegas residency at the Venetian in December, and locally at the In-N-Out Burger festival with 311.
